Brussels, 01/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Cotonou Agreement, which will for twenty years link 77 ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) countries and the European Union, entered fully into force on 1 April (see also pages 12 and 13). Signed three years ago, this partnership agreement for development has been partially applicable since August 2000 on a provisional basis. The full entry into force, which was made possible by finalising the ratification procedures, gives the green light to the implementation of the agreement's financial provisions. This means that the 13.5 billion euros of the 9th EDF (European Development Funds) and the EIB (European Investment Bank) investment facility of 2.2 billion euros can be mobilised for the next five years. Up until now, the balance left over from previous EDFs had ensured funding continuity. 2.5 billion euros, as yet uncommitted, have been added to the available financial envelope.
In a press release, Commissioner Poul Nielson states: "the delay in ratification of the Agreement should not cause us to forget the ambitious goals we set ourselves. At a time of conflict and division in the world, we should celebrate the objectives we share in the Cotonou Agreement and the commitment made by over 90 countries, half the countries in the world, to work together to achieve them. In terms of North-South solidarity, this is the biggest show in town".
Speaking to the Press in Brussels, Joos Richelle, Director General of Development in the Commission, highlighted the modernity and the uniqueness of the Cotonou Agreement, whose chief objective is the eradication of poverty, and which strengthens the political dimension of the ACP/EU partnership by means of a permanent dialogue contributing to the respect of democratic values, peace and political stability, involves civil society in development projects and allows increased flexibility in allocating financial resources using efficiency criteria. "Nearly 90% of EDF resources will be allocated to countries with low incomes. We will monitor the quality of the use of these funds and the aid absorption capacity of these countries. The Country Strategy Papers have been approved by 68 out of 77 countries", he said.
The programming work remains to be completed by Kenya, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and by countries sanctioned under article 96 of the Agreement (Togo, Zimbabwe, Haïti and Liberia).
Talking of economic and commercial co-operation, Joos Richelle stressed the fact that the economic partnership agreements being negotiated "are necessary for our credibility at the WTO and to inspire confidence among the private sector". He said that "they must be designed as development instruments and present an interest in terms of market access. The EU must make an interesting offer to improve market access for ACP agricultural products".